Rheological properties and the intrinsic mechanisms of fly ash/silicon-based shear thickening fluid

We have found that the unique particle properties of fly ash can be applied to the modification of shear thickening fluid. In this paper, rheological properties and microscopic thickening mechanism of fly ash/silicon-based shear thickening fluid (subsequently abbreviated as FA/SiO 2 -STF) are studied. Ultrasonic technology and mechanical stirring method were used to prepare FA/SiO 2 -STF with different mass fractions of fly ash, and then rheometer was used to carry out steady-state rheological testing for FA/SiO 2 -STF, and 4%FA/SiO 2 -STF dynamic rheological test and temperature sensitivity testing, respectively. The thickening mechanism of FA/SiO 2 -STF was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. The rheological test results show that the FA/SiO 2 -STF with 4% fly ash content exhibits remarkable shear thickening effect. Finally, the relationship between the viscosity and shear rate of FA/SiO 2 -STF is numerically described by a mathematical model, which can accurately reflect the viscosity thickening effect.